THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THAI MEDIA AND TOURISM: TRENDS, INFLUENCES,  AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

                                                                                                                                                              Bazarbaeva Inabat

Abstract. This comprehensive study explores the multifaceted relationship between Thailand’s media industry- spanning television series, films, digital content, and celebrity culture- and its tourism sector. By integrating statistical data, cultural analysis, and case studies, the aricle highlights how media acts as a catalyst of global interest in Thai destinations, traditions, and urban life. It examines both opportunities and challenges, emphasizing sustainable practices and ethical considerations. Original insights and actionable recommendations are provided for stakeholders in tourism, media, and policy-making.

Keywords: Thai tourism, media influence, cultural promotion, celebrity impact, destination branding.

 Thailand’s tourism sector, a cornerstone of its economy, contributed 12% to the nation’s GDP in 2023, attracting over 28 million international visitors. While pristine beaches, vibrant festivals, and ancient temples remain primary draws, an unexpected player has emerged as a catalyst for tourism growth: Thailand’s media industry. Television series, films, digital content, and celebrity culture now serve as dynamic tools for shaping global perceptions, inspiring travel, and fostering cultural exchange. This article explores how media acts as a cultural ambassador, backed by statistical insights, while addressing ethical hallenges and proposing strategies for sustainable growth.

Media as a Cultural Ambassador: Beyond Entertainment

Thai media has transcended borders through platforms like Netflix, Youtube, and Tik Tok, transforming into a powerful cultural export. Historical dramas, thrillers, and even music videos now double as unconventional tourism campaigns. For instance, the 2018 historical romance Love Destiny(Bupphesanniwat) revitalized global interest in Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The series, set in the 17th – century Siamese court, showcased the ruins of Ayutthaya’s temples and places, leading to a 22% surge in visits to the region post-release. Local tour operators introduced themed itineraries, allowing fans to walk through filming locations while learning about the kingdom’s history.

Similarly, the supernatural thriller Girl From Nowhere (2018-2021) highlighted Bangkok’s contrasting landscapes- gleaming skycrapers, bustling street markets, and serene Buddhist temples. Tourism agencies reported a 15% increase kn inquiries about “mystery tours” following the show’s popularity, with fans eager to explore locations like Wat Arun and retro-themed Siam Paragon mall. Even regional destinations benefit: the 2022 comedy 3 GentleBros, set in Chiang Mai’s countryside, correlated with a 10% rise in homestay bookings as viewers sought to experience rural Thai life.

Music and digital content also play pivotal roles. The 2022 music video “Thailand Tourism: Journey to Happiness”, featuring collaborations with K-pop artists, amassed 50 million view and boosted Google searches for Thai destinations by 30%. Such content avoids overt advertising, instead weaving tourism elements into compelling narratives that resonate emotionally with audiences.

Quantifying Media’s Impact: Statistis and Trends 

 A 2022 study by Chulalongkorn University revealed that 34% of surveyed tourists visited Thailand after encountering its landscapes or culture in films or series. For example, the 2011 film The Billionaire (Top Secret: Wai Roon Pan Lan), based on the founder of Thai beverage giant Carabao, showcased Phuket’s luxury resorts. Within six month of its release, hospitality revenue on the island surged by $2.3 million, with tourists flocking to stay at the depicted hotels.

Platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok act as force multipliers. In 2023, Instagram posts tagged #ThailandTravel increased by 40%, with 18% referencing Thai dramas or celebrities. Tik Tok’s #ThaiFoodChallenge, inspired by cooking scenes in dramas, drove a 25% rise in culinary tours, particularly in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Media tourism generates indirect revenue. For every 1spenton film-relatedtours, 3.50 flows into local businesses such as restaurants, souvenir shops, and transport services. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that media-inspired tourists spend 20% more than average visitors, often seeking unique, story-driven experiences.

Celebrity Influence: Bridging Media and Travel 

Thai celebrities and influencers have become pivotal in destination marketing. Actress Yaya Urassaya Sperbund’s 2022 campaign promoting Krabi’s Emerald Pool led to a 15% increase in European tourists to the region. Meanwhile, actor Mario Maurer, a household name across Asia, partnered with TAT to spotlight Nan Province’s silk-weaving villages. His social media posts about the region’s artisans resulted in a 20% uptick in workshop visits and renewed appreciation for traditional crafts.

Micro-influencers also play a role. Platforms like LINE VOOM and Facebook Reels feature content creators targeting iche markets. For example, eco-conscious influencers promote sustainable stays in Khao Sok National Park, aligning with younger travelers’ values. These collaborations blend authenticity with reach, making destinations relatable to global audiences.

Challenges: Balancing Growth and Sustainabillity

Media-driven popularity often strains fragile ecosystems. The Phi Phi Islands, immortalized in The Beach (2000), faced coral degradation and litter pollution due to unchecked tourism. In 2021, Thailand closed the islands for rehabilitation- a stark reminder of the need for sustainable practices. Initiatives like the 7 Greens tourism model, which promotes eco-certifications and visitor caps, aim to mitigate such issues.

Simplified portrayals of traditions risk reducing cultural heritage to mere spectacles. Floating markets, depicted in dramas as quaint tourist attractions, often overlook their historical significance as community hubs. Projects like Creative Thailand collaborate with filmmakers to ensure authentic storytelling, emphasizing cultural depth over stereotypes.

Media attention often skews toward urban areas, sidelining rural communities. To address this, community-based tourism (CBT) programs empower villages to share their heritage. The 2023 drama Pan Rak Pa (Forest of Love), filmed in collaboration with hill tribes in northern Thailand, boosted homestay bookings by 18% while channeling profits directly to locals. 

Future Directions: Innovation and Collaboration 

Virtual reality (VR) tours of iconic film locations could attract tech-savvy travelers. Imagine exploring the Grand Palace of Bangkok or the cliffs of Railay Beach through immersive VR experiences. AI-driven campaigns could also personalize travel itineraries based on viewers’ favorite shows, enhancing engagement.

Stronger collaboration between Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and media producers in essential. Tax incentives for productions that highlight eco-friendly destinations, like national parks or organic farms, could align entertainment with sustainability goals.

Training locals to co-create content ensures balanced representation. For instance, documentaries produced by indigenous communities in Isan have sparked interest in the region’s folk music and festivals, fostering pride and economic opportunity.

Thailand’s media industry is no longer just a source of entertainment-it is a dynamic engine for tourism growth. By blending storytelling with cultural promotion, media reshapes how the world sees Thailand, turning viewers into travelers. However, this power demands responsibility. Sustainable tourism requires ethical storytelling, equitable economic distribution, and environmental stewardship. Through innovation, collaboration, and community involvement, Thailand can continue to captivate global audiences while preserving its natural and cultural treasures for generations to come.

References:

1. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). (2023). Annual Tourism Report.

Bangkok Post. (2019). “Historical Drama Revives Ayutthaya’s Appeal.”

Statista. (2023). Social Media Trends in Travel.

2. Tourism Economics. (2012). Film-Induced Tourism in Phuket.

Chulalongkorn University. (2022). Media Influence on Tourist Behavior.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports. (2021). 7 Greens Sustainability Report.

                                                                                                              Bazarbaeva Inabat Mukhtar daughter, 1st year student of the Faculty of Economics, Tourism and Hospitality, Karakalpak State University, was born in 2006 in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.                                                                                                                   

Moon curve silver contrasts sky slivered rather sharply streaking swift light shards shot unto visional tablature eccentric literature eloquent language form. Shadows shade plus shadows form habitat below. Each passer-by mental engrossed clicks gravel shoe muddied or screech tyres same muddied each sharing commonality of utmost silent. Day ends locating joyed mourning.

    Next fruitful bend apprehends turn unconsciously phone dialling itself haptic thumb tap gotten. Light drenching moonlight stretching confront selves eternal struggle net breaths might then seized watching if there were any all eyes peeled upon something different however. Sat watching however. However stretched the plate was it crawled empty. It stood that after all. After all the self scrutiny Jesus was fed at least. Hunger death provokes happiness. Simply must. Full bellies lack unsheathed sky possessing sitting brain full purses current drain; plate outstretched fingerings sky. Intoxicated throat pity needing at pitied watching pitiless day close fast workplace ushering night sacs containing bones enclose empty brains housing overfed souls. Tie slackened suitcased strides clanking gravel clop — clop — clop — clop — warping truth towards higher truth as all is truth. Food rent clothes boss fiancé mother siblings friends celebrities obsessions run young man’s head seventy two hermit watches across close nearly far across among overlapping streams exercising breathlessness. Breathlessness curse! Gutters flying stench bowed nostrils impassioned glad accept walking submitted greatness submission. Zero space stating breathe?

    Cold eve scanty glad hermit grey giggles cleaving slivering shivering off heavenscape. Drunk decades watching death alive intoxication living moving picture non fiction dream eternal be spit drip lip visual glee surrendering. Friendly house bank during laughing day. Clank! Wad floats down. Clank! Eyes float down. Clank! Disappointed float vanishes upward excitement throat squeezed reminded vanity though screaming assuage far from place at hundred naira economy drained. Used to retain kingly pay one time. Monarchical Left look right look receding day holds two three four five fat slim groups one plus one numerous answers searching loosing time track working work working lost cursing boss children mom wife wide father tableau life spot placed striving husband chained neck feet hand blood vessels arteries arsehole tongue eye all seeing feeling thinking loving believing walled all side taught ordered expected caught napping death alive death alive death alive scared angry what happens happened happening questions unquestioned questioned unquestionably unquestioned left shod mountainous behold blind blotting light darkness shade reading curbed gaze clawed eyes eyes ice ayes highs left low legged legendary lest leap lost loving lime life limelight looks vertical east west south darkness heart recent gleam gloam joy crow peck flesh unfleshed flattering bleached depreciating self loving hoping wanting needing starving seeing blindly kissing touching unfeeling. Monarchical.

    Before all these he was young Before all these he was old but he was young and he was old at heart reading diving drowning found him so Sitting found him so happily sitting still Clang! Floating descends new note five h Glad hide preposterous. Four days hunger cured by six h sees him stand to kiosk ordering beer with groundnut. Laughing ease transform ease necessary to ease hunger. To think one must think he held dark corner marching maintaining gesture reflex mental choices waking abrupt. Friendly house here friendly house there nowhere every where. Spit opens bottle uncork gulping facilitated breathing agreed beer coolth evaporating aroma mouth mastering watering lip tongue jumping joyous glee. Toast thought ancestral garbage at instant apprehend intoxicated aroma bent coolth rushing throat gurgling Adam apple bitten causing temptations love soothing gurgling twice bottle half emptied relishing gassed belly intensely moon brightness intensified. Friendly house here. Hallucinatory stepping digging moats each traverse gifting war away anger away love away beingness away susceptibility way hunger paves drunken belly appreciates. One plate adventure one may sing. Roadside. Sit. Legged crossed opened dally minutely chooses legged cross more emotion summoning strategy best survival way. Singing soothes evening hearing;

    Harmattan rises down every day

    In hot cold heat and happy day (fifty naira)

    Cold heat and happy say every way

    Harmattan brings cold biting toes and souls

    Cold heat they say is frost

    But me I say is solid gold

    As the moon shines moon shine gives me know

    And I walk where I walk toe to toe

    With bare feet (one thousand naira)

    Tell me the joy of singing happily

    The Friday night tells all they must feel

    This Friday night with dance we must see:

    Gets up picks notes pocketing starts dances banging plate onlookers glance crossing avoiding walking striding lengths coordinate of him Memories of joy joyful than joy this whipped horse whips horse parity horse weeping tears of joy breeze sweeping neighbour tongue five hundred dropped dust dropped songless dance drops pants opening genitalia former kiosk possesses sachet gin genes beer genes cigarettes genes groundnuts lastly genes sweet ground nut heals being chest and hearts that fasting men sweating absolution within each step Point of despair avoided such men walk toward backward content forward stretch eye peeled Kerouac way magical rebel submission nature requests;

    Corners again. New spot which pristine bliss stronger wields. Strong. Silence lost boom song crawl upward hearing pathethics bliss tremendous blood cough death chucks all at once beyond moonlight anger moonlight hate moonlight debauch spoiled through play within walls shielding moonlight gaze moonlight hate hoping by shooting rays streaking face arrive crush entire place.

    Speckled rocks haphazard necklaced skyward scintilla:

PS;

    Goes stupor slumbering — chilly breeze freezing broken feet gangrene refuses eating in one glance — dance; no more; never more! Hiccups occur intermittently on the sly time progressing shooting wind clenched bottle solidifies icily commandeering pilot gush ground forces mind plummets dreaming aurorean roaring sky crumpling unfurling crumpling unfurling myriad graduations mortarboards excited eating fuming mist hazy beaming fork plate knife copious ingesting crossing river channels following day blesses peacefully — Friendly ouse firing joy laughter ease bliss kindness camaraderie deluges meals meatless plant filled beer copious whiskey bibulous biblical holy portents popping neural points each lighting where new dawn of time: big? Bang!

1) Everything Gonna Be All Right

(or, Trading Body Blows with

the Ghost of Victor Smith)

The night was thick, black and nasty

and my mattress was a raft drifting down

a mighty Mississippi of memory,

a Viking longboat in which my broken

warrior-poet’s form had been placed

and sent downstream through the silver-grey mists

of eternity and on to the far bright shores of my

forefathers and their fathers before them,

only to be turned away from those fearsome

gates for being insufficiently deceased.

And, lately, it seems like I’ve been waking up

in the middle of varying stages of dream-state

at all my former places of residence, feeling around

the bed for some imaginary former spouse

or significant other, freaking out about

being late to some former place of employment

and whatever it is I’m gonna say (this time?)

to placate whichever former employer.

I can’t help but believe if things continue

at this rate, eventually, I’ll bolt awake thinking

I’m late for my first day of kindergarten (though,

hopefully my mother will also be on hand to say,

It’s OK, little man. It’s only Saturday. Go out and play).

And then there’s that recurring one where,

in what some new age, metaphysical,

guided meditation counselor type might

call a deep subterranean cave of me,

some here-to-fore unknown (or merely suspected)

part of me suddenly cracks and snaps off

like a massive icicle or stalactite, morphing

on its way down into another more fully actualized me,

a new and improved me, you could say,

and hits the ground running like Jesse Owens

at the ’36 Olympics.

And let’s just say, for the sake of the poem

(and your, most likely, all-too-brief relationship with it),

that this new and improved me is actually you

and it’s not a slimy or treacherous cave floor

that your feet have found but a cool, rain-slicked street

late at night in some industrial part of town

you don’t recognize.

And just over there to the right,

maybe fifty, sixty feet away at most,

there’s a freight train blowing out

its big, brassy basso profundo

as it slows down to take the curve

and it’s not even an issue of nerve

or wanting it bad enough ‘cause you know

you can make it this time, man,

and you don’t even have a suitcase

or bag or nothing,

but that shit don’t even matter ‘cause everything’s

gonna be different from here on out if you can

just catch that train, man, everything gonna be just fine

if you can just keep runnin’ and sayin’ it

and sayin’ it and sayin’ it:

everything gonna be alright,

everything gonna be alright,

everything gonna be alright,

everything…

2) Wide, Low and Slow

Broke

down

Massy-

Furgeson,

abandoned and left

for dead somewhere out here near what

must be, more or less, the middle of this over-grown

cornfield, smack-dab on the Kansas / Missouri

     border, who knows how many years ago,

upon which the scarecrow of an old cracked plaster

mannequin (with straw cowboy hat

and canvas gloves) is

casually

straddled,

as

if

he

were

kickin’

way back and

rolling: wide, low and

slow, down the boulevard of time,

like he aint got a motherfuckin’ care in the world,

and, with there nothing else to do and no where

      else to be, who knows, maybe he doesn’t.

3) Old Man with a Cane

Leaning on a Mailbox, by

the Side of the Road

There’s an old man with

a cane, leaning on a mail-

box full of bullet

holes, by the side of

a two-lane highway, and an

18-wheeler is

rounding the curve, just

about a quarter-mile down

the road (coming to

us from Cooper Hill,

Mt. Sterling, Rosebud and parts

unknown (and beyond):

a yellow butter-

fly caught in its grill, a red

balloon tied to the

passenger-side rear-

view mirror, a hawk hanging

on the bright blue wind.

4) 50% off

It was a store that

specialized in used past lives

and even had a

     discount bin near the counter

     where you could get as much as

          50% off somedays.

5) Strange Bright Birds

I

think

about

those women,

sometimes, who fluttered

in and out of my life, every

now and then, like strange, bright birds with the power to stop

my heart, my breathing, my ability to speak

     or think, even, the spinning of the

earth, hell, time itself, and I wonder where some of them

are these days, all these years later,

where their lives lead them,

and did some-

one, for

some

of

them

at

least, turn

out to be

the “one” about which

so many movies and novels and

songs are cranked out every year, but what

I guess I mostly think about are all the things

     I could have done differently.

Jason Ryberg is the author of twenty-two books of

poetry, six screenplays, a few short stories, a box full

of folders, notebooks and scraps of paper that could

one day be (loosely) construed as a novel, and countless

love letters (never sent). He is currently an artist-in-

residence at both The Prospero Institute of Disquieted

P/o/e/t/i/c/s and the Osage Arts Community, and is an

editor and designer at Spartan Books. His work has

appeared in As it Ought to Be, Up the Staircase Quarterly,

Thimble Literary Magazine, I-70 Review, Main Street Rag,

The Arkansas Review and various other journals and

anthologies. His latest collection of poems is “Bullet Holes

in the Mailbox (Cigarette Burns in the Sheets) Back of the

Class Press, 2024)).” He lives part-time in Kansas City, MO

with a rooster named Little Red and a Billy-goat named

Giuseppe, and part-time somewhere in the Ozarks,

near the Gasconade River, where there are also many

strange and wonderful woodland critters. 

Student of the Kattakurgan branch of Samarkand State University Azamova Feruza

Peace and Stability — The Key to National Development

When we speak of development, we often think of modern technologies, infrastructure, economic growth, or political reforms. However, none of these can be truly achieved without two essential foundations: peace and stability. These are not just abstract ideals — they are the backbone of every developed country, the guarantee of people’s well-being, and the foundation of a secure future. Today, Uzbekistan is entering a new stage of progress built upon these very principles.

Peace — The Greatest Blessing

Throughout history, peace has always been the highest value sought by humanity. Unfortunately, many countries around the world still suffer from war, conflict, and instability. Some mistakenly view peace as the mere absence of war. In reality, peace means much more: it is social harmony, justice in society, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. It is a condition where children laugh and play freely, youth pursue their dreams, and families live without fear.

Since gaining independence, Uzbekistan has prioritized ensuring peace as its most vital task. The principle of “First peace, then progress” has guided the development of every sector. Thanks to the prevailing peace in the country, we see new schools and universities being built, factories being launched, and thousands of new jobs being created.

Stability — The Foundation of a Reliable Future

Stability means the people’s confidence in tomorrow, continuity in public life, and consistency in governance. Real change can only happen in a stable environment. The large-scale reforms currently taking place in Uzbekistan — in the economy, education, healthcare, and governance — are all unfolding on the basis of internal stability.

Today, the idea of the “New Uzbekistan” is more than a slogan. It is a clearly defined development strategy. The new Constitution, reforms in the judiciary, and steps toward building a more open civil society are all strengthening the mutual trust between the government and the people. That trust is what forms the essence of long-term stability.

Uzbekistan on the International Stage: A Messenger of Peace

Uzbekistan is not only maintaining peace within its borders but is also playing an increasingly active role in ensuring peace and stability across the region. By pursuing friendly and open relations with neighboring Central Asian states, Uzbekistan has helped foster regional trust and cooperation. The country’s engagement with international organizations, public diplomacy, and cultural exchange initiatives all contribute to global peacebuilding.

Every Citizen — A Guardian of Peace

Ensuring peace and stability is not solely the responsibility of the state. Every citizen has a role to play. A parent’s guidance, a teacher’s lessons, a journalist’s words, or an artist’s performance — each contributes to shaping a peaceful society.

Our youth are the future guardians of peace and stability. It is essential that they are raised with a spirit of tolerance, respect, interethnic harmony, and adherence to the rule of law. Only then can Uzbekistan continue its journey toward becoming a strong, prosperous, and modern nation.

Conclusion:

Peace is the calm of the skies, stability is the peace of the heart.

Development is the natural outcome of these two blessings.

Let us all contribute to preserving these values. Because:

In a peaceful country, there is abundance. In a stable society, there is growth.

And that growth leads us to the future we all dream of.

Why Are Study Abroad Semesters Valuable for Students?

Meaning of These Programs – What Are They?

A study abroad semester is a life-changing experience – but how exactly?

Costs, Challenges, and Requirements

Nowadays, there are many foreign citizens in my country. Are they just tourists? Not quite. Today we see young people coming from abroad to various parts of our country. The reason is the global student exchange program. This program has a long history and began to develop in the 20th century. It was created to promote cultural and scientific cooperation between countries. A student exchange program allows students to temporarily study at a different university abroad. Through it, students gain knowledge and experience.

Historically, the United States was one of the first countries where such programs became popular, beginning with the Fulbright Program. One of the most well-known is the ERASMUS program – the oldest student exchange program in Europe, launched in 1987. Germany later developed its own version, with the DAAD program starting in 1925. These programs are highly popular among young people.

Experiences of Students:

Many students report positive experiences with exchange programs. Jabboraliev O., who studies at Kuala Lumpur University in Malaysia, said: “I expanded my professional experience through the exchange program. That’s why I’ve worked in many areas of my field.” This shows that exchange programs offer career benefits too.

Dilafruz, a student who studied in Japan, said: “My verbal communication improved significantly.” In particular, her ability to express herself in Japanese grew. This proves students can also benefit linguistically from exchange programs.

Advantages of Student Exchange Programs:

Exchange programs offer many benefits. Students gain new knowledge and boost their academic progress. But that’s not all. Studying abroad helps develop important personal skills, such as:

– Intercultural Competence: Students learn to understand and respect cultural differences by engaging directly with people from diverse backgrounds.

– Independence: Living in a foreign country forces students to organize daily life independently – from housing to daily routines.

– Language Skills: Constant exposure to a foreign language helps students improve their language proficiency.

– Better Career Opportunities: Employers value international experience, which signals flexibility and adaptability.

Challenges:

Of course, there are also difficulties. Many students face the following challenges when moving abroad:

– Financial Issues: Living abroad can be expensive. Students often need scholarships or part-time jobs.

– Different Education Systems: Learning methods may differ from those in the home country, requiring students to adapt.

– Cultural Differences: Adapting to new customs and traditions can be tough in a foreign country.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, student exchange programs are an excellent opportunity for young people to gain international experience, explore other cultures, and improve both academically and professionally. They help students adjust to new environments and foster mutual understanding between cultures.

During the program, students learn how to navigate life in a foreign country, speak new languages, and enhance communication skills. These experiences are valuable in today’s world and can improve future career prospects. Additionally, students form international connections that may benefit them later.

Despite the challenges, such as financial burdens, housing issues, or differences in education systems, these very obstacles help students become more independent and adaptable.

Overall, exchange programs are a key component of global education. They not only help young people expand their knowledge but also support personal growth. International exchange strengthens relationships between countries and universities. Therefore, such programs should continue to be supported so more students can benefit.

Oyatillo Jabboraliev was born in Fergana region. He is a student at Xiamen University in Malaysia.

First, a few announcements.

Konstantinos FaHs has another article published following up on his Synchronized Chaos pieces about ancient Greek myths and their continuing role in modern Hellenic culture. He’d like to share his piece in The Rhythm of Vietnam, which is a Vietnamese magazine with a mission that seems similar to our own.

Also, disabled contributor, lyric essayist, and ALS activist Katrina Byrd suffered hurricane damage to her home and seeks support to rebuild and make ends meet while she’s getting ready to move. Whatever folks can contribute will make a real difference.

Now, for our new issue: Chaos Does Not Exclude Love. The reverse of a phrase from a review of Elwin Cotman’s urban fantasy collection discussing how Cotman’s work was from a loving place yet made room for the complexity of the world. At Synchronized Chaos, we are intimately acquainted with the world’s nuance and chaos, yet we see and find room for empathy and connection.

Neven Duzevic reflects on travel memories and reconnecting with an old friend. Dr. Perwaiz Shaharyar speaks to the awesome and transformative power of romantic love. Dr. Prasanna Kumar Dalai reflects upon the intensity of romantic feelings. Duane Vorhees speaks to loneliness and heartbreak and sensuality and various forms of human-ness. Kristy Raines speaks to the beauty of love and the tragedy of heartbreak.

Harper Chan reflects on his bravado and the reality of his feelings in the past year. Mickey Corrigan’s poetry shows how psychological and cultural shifts and traumas can manifest in our bodies. Abigail George speaks to how support from friends and family and a commitment to live in the present rather than reliving old traumas can help those addicted to drugs. Alan Catlin mixes cultural memories and touchstones with personal and societal losses.

Vo Thi Nhu Mai offers up a poetic tribute to the international vision of fellow poet Eva Petropoulou Lianou. Greek poet Eva Petropoulou Lianou interviews Bangladeshi poet S. Afrose on how she hopes poetry and joint exploration through literary sci-fi will obliterate the need for war. Dr. Jernail Singh laments that morality and compassion have become passe to a generation obsessed with modernity and personal success. Priyanka Neogi speaks to the beauty of carrying oneself with noble character. Maria Koulovou Roumelioti urges us to remember the world’s children and create love and peace as Anwar Rahim reminds us to live with kindness and courage.

Mykyta Ryzhykh speculates on whether love can continue to exist amidst war. Haroon Rashid pays tribute to Indian political leader Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who loved peace but led through strength. Christine Poythress reflects on how easy it is for a once-proud and free nation to slide into fascism simply by admiring the fascist aesthetic and its seductive power. Ahmed Miqdad renders a global tragedy in simple terms: he’s too scared to go back to his home in Gaza to water his cactus plant.

Lili Lang probes the meaning behind things that seem simple: the work of a hairdresser, a family packing up the belongings of a recently deceased grandmother.

Mahmudova Sohibaxon offers up a tribute to dependable and caring fathers. J.J. Campbell writes of the visceral love and physical work of aging and caregiving, of inhabiting an elderly and a middle-aged body. Taylor Dibbert’s poetic speaker embraces age with joy, thrilled to still be alive. Bill Tope crafts an expansive and welcoming vision of perfection that can welcome more types of people and bodies as Ambrose George urges the world to maintain an open mind towards gender roles and identities.

Leslie Lisbona pays tribute to her deceased mother by writing a letter catching her up on family news. Stephen Jarrell Williams considers endings and beginnings and the possibility of renewal. Asma’u Sulaiman speaks to being lost and then found in life. Cheng Yong’s poetry addresses ways we hide from each other and ourselves, physically and psychologically. Mahbub Alam wishes for a romantic connection that can extend and endure beyond Earth. Dibyangana’s poetry touches on love, grief, and personal metamorphosis. Mely Ratkovic writes of spiritual contemplation and the nature of good and evil. Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa describes souls who turn away from greed and evil and heal, in smaller and larger ways. Christopher Bernard suggests that creativity and storytelling might play a part in what makes life worth enduring.

Brian Barbeito speculates about intention and communication with the universe. Svetlana Rostova speculates on what spirituality might mean in the face of a seemingly indifferent world. Shamsiya Khudoynazarova Turumnova’s piece conveys spiritual ecstasy, love, and beauty.

Sandro Piedrahita’s story highlights the power of enduring and sacrificial spiritual devotion in the midst of our human-ness.

Chimezie Ihekuna engages with the talents, creativity, and limitations of being human. Dr. Jernail Anand looks at human creativity and at AI and draws a comparison, encouraging humans to continue to create. Jasmina Rashidova explores what motivates people in the workplace. Eva Petropoulou Lianou interviews Turkish poet Bahar Buke about fostering imagination and connection through her work.

Paul Durand reflects on teaching first-grade music in a time of hatred and divisiveness. Su Yun collects the thoughts and observations of a whole selection of schoolchildren in China about nature and their world.

David Sapp reflects on how he wishes to always appreciate the egrets and lilies, sailing off into nature amid the various bird voices of the wild world. Mesfakus Salahin rhapsodizes about flowers and giddy spring romance. Soumen Roy celebrates the simple joy of butterflies and tea. Sayani Mukherjee speaks of an enduring oak tree in summer. Poetry from Eva Petropoulou Lianou, translated to Italian by Maria Miraglia and Arabic by Ahmed Farooq Baidoon, celebrates life lessons from nature. Liang Zhiwei reminds us of the power and vastness of nature, before and after the era of humanity. Nuraini Mohammed Usman sends up a sepia photograph of a tire hidden by a leafing young tree.

Jibril Mohammed Usman shares a photograph of a person looking into nature, at one with and part of his world, altered in the same way as the trees and house. Mark Young’s geographies play with and explore Australia from new angles, turning maps into works of art.

Jerome Berglund and Christina Chin stitch ideas and images together like clotted cream in their joint haikus. Patrick Sweeney’s two-line couplets explore a thought which ends in an unexpected way.

Odina Bahodirova argues for the relevance of philology as an academic discipline because of its role in preserving cultural wisdom encoded in language and the ability of students to understand and think critically about language. Sevinch Shukurova explores the role of code-switching as a pedagogical tool in language learning. Surayo Nosirova shares the power of an educator giving a struggling student tutoring and a second chance. Nozima Zioydilloyeva celebrates Uzbekistan’s cultural accomplishments and women’s education within her home country. Marjona Mardonova honors the history of the learned Jadid Uzbek modernizers.

Nazeem Aziz recollects Bangladeshi history and celebrates their fights for freedom and national identity. Poet Hua Ai speaks to people’s basic longings to live, to be seen and heard. Leif Ingram-Bunn speaks to hypocrisy and self-righteousness on behalf of those who would silence him, and self-assertion on his part as a wounded but brave, worthy child of God.

Z.I. Mahmud traces the mythic and the heroic from Tolkien to Harry Potter. Poet Hua Ai, interviewed by editor Cristina Deptula, also wonders about the stories we tell ourselves. She speculates through her work about what in the human condition is mandatory for survival and what is learned behavior that could be unlearned with changing times.

Synchronized Chaos contains many of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and our world. We hope you enjoy and learn from the narrative!

Women’s Education in Uzbekistan: Opportunities and the Path to Progress

Since gaining independence, Uzbekistan has undertaken major reforms in the field of education. In particular, significant opportunities have been created for women to gain knowledge and acquire professional skills. This is because one of the key factors in societal development is women’s literacy and their active participation in science, culture, and the economy.

Today, thousands of girls across Uzbekistan have the opportunity to study at higher educational institutions. Government-funded scholarships play a vital role in supporting them on this journey. These efforts are part of wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening the role of women in society and unlocking their full potential.

Scholarships and Quotas for Women

Special benefits and programs have been introduced for girls seeking education in Uzbekistan. Currently:

Separate quotas are allocated for female students admitted under state scholarships.

Through the “Women’s Register,” talented but financially disadvantaged girls receive assistance to pay their tuition fees.

Under the “Iron Register” and “Youth Register” programs, special privileges are provided to support girls’ education.

Presidential scholarships and other grants are awarded to encourage the academic achievements of outstanding young women.

International scholarships and global education programs are also making it possible for girls to study abroad.

Additionally, the number of vocational training centers for girls has increased in recent years, where they are trained in modern professions. The growing number of skilled women in fields such as IT, engineering, and business is a clear indication of this progress.

Progress in Girls’ Education

Currently, a significant proportion of students in higher education institutions are women. Across the country, many women are becoming leading specialists—not only in education but also in entrepreneurship, science, and social spheres.

In particular, recent years have seen:

A growing interest among girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

The establishment of business incubators and entrepreneurship development centers specifically for women.

Successful participation of Uzbek girls in various international grant programs.

Thanks to the reforms being implemented by our government, young women are now developing into competitive professionals not only within the country but also on a global scale.

Peace – The Foundation of Independent Learning

Today, young people in Uzbekistan have the opportunity to pursue knowledge freely in a peaceful and independent country. This serves as a solid foundation and a confident step toward a bright future.

In contrast, we see thousands of young people around the world being deprived of education due to wars, instability, and conflicts. In Uzbekistan, however, great attention is paid to education, and favorable conditions are created for the youth. As a result, our girls are realizing their potential in science, technology, culture, and various other fields.

Therefore, today’s youth—especially young women—must set high goals and make full use of the educational opportunities available to them. Because we, the youth of Uzbekistan, are learning with confidence in a peaceful nation and a promising tomorrow!

Nozima Ziyodilloyeva 

Student of Uzbekistan State World Languages University